Classic car fuel supplies may fall when a petrol and diesel car ban is introduced in the UK, according to experts at motoring specialists Parkers.
Labour is keen to bring forward a ban on the sale of new combustion vehicles with models no longer sold by 2030.
Although second-hand cars will continue to be allowed on the road, the slow transition to electric could see petrol and diesel models become rarer and rarer.
Although owners of older vehicles would likely switch to new technology as prices fall, there is one sector of the roads that will not give up their petrol and diesel models so easily.
The lack of demand for petrol and diesel could backfire on classic car owners with fuel likely to become harder to obtain.
When asked what would happen to classic cars after the ban comes into effect, Parkers was confident motorists would notice little difference.
However, they warned supplies of the E5 fuel commonly used in older vehicles may be more difficult to secure as the years drag on.
Parkers explained: “Nothing. They’ll carry on running as they are now.
“Most classics require E5 fuel to run properly, and supplies of this might tighten in the coming years, but you’ll always be able to buy it, even if the premium rises above where it is now.”
E5 is recommended for classic cars as the higher octane rating can protect against the impacts of ethanol damage.
This could prevent key parts from becoming damaged such as rubber seals and plastics in a major boost.
The higher octane fuel can also help to better maintain engine performance which could be pivotal in older models.
E5 is currently sold as the premium Super Unleaded compound after the introduction of E10 at the pumps back in September 2021.
Motoring experts at PodPoint have stressed that a reduction in the number of petrol and diesel stations in the future may make it harder to drive historic vehicles.
They said: “Classic cars using petrol or diesel will not be banned when legislative changes happen in 2030, but it’s likely that the rising uptake of EVs will present a challenge to classic car drivers in the future.”
